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Bernice Thurman Hunter Fonds

Bernice Thurman Hunter fonds ....................................................................................................... 2 Physical description ..................................................................................................................... 2 Biographical Sketch .................................................................................................................... 2

Custodial history ......................................................................................................................... 3 Scope and content ........................................................................................................................ 3 Arrangement ................................................................................................................................ 3 Finding aids ................................................................................................................................. 3 Notes ............................................................................................................................................ 3

Series Index (with sub-series) ......................................................................................................... 4 1.0 Bulletin board ........................................................................................................................ 4 2.0 Correspondence ..................................................................................................................... 4

2.1 Fan mail ............................................................................................................................. 4

2.2 Personal mail ..................................................................................................................... 5 2.3 Business mail ..................................................................................................................... 7

3.0 Publicity ................................................................................................................................ 9 3.1 Advertisements ............................................................................................................. 9

3.2 Autobiographies ............................................................................................................ 9 3.3 Portraits/interviews ....................................................................................................... 9 3.4 Letters to fans .............................................................................................................. 10

3.5 Author study ................................................................................................................ 10 3.6 The Runaway .............................................................................................................. 10

3.7 Scholastic book catalogues ......................................................................................... 11 3.8 Public appearances ...................................................................................................... 11 3.9 Speeches and slide shows ........................................................................................... 14

4.0 Writings ............................................................................................................................... 19

4.1 Published material ....................................................................................................... 19 4.2 Unpublished material .................................................................................................. 25

5.0 Awards/Honours .................................................................................................................. 31

6.0 Photographs ......................................................................................................................... 35 6.1 Family ......................................................................................................................... 36

6.2 Book covers ................................................................................................................ 37 6.3 Colour research ........................................................................................................... 37

6.4 School readings and travel .......................................................................................... 37 7.0 Conferences ......................................................................................................................... 37

7.1 Conference information .............................................................................................. 38 7.2 PEI stuff ...................................................................................................................... 38 7.3 Travel documents ........................................................................................................ 38

8.0 Reviews ............................................................................................................................... 38 9.0 Financial records ................................................................................................................. 43

10.0 Research notes ................................................................................................................... 45 11.0 Miscellaneous personal material ....................................................................................... 48 12.0 The Descendants of Thomas and Ann Thurman of Tollerton, Nottinghamshire .............. 50

Bernice Thurman Hunter fonds. – [19―] - 2002.

Physical description: 5.9 metres of textual records, 1 bulletin board, 490 photographs, 268

negatives, 399 slides, 1 sweatshirt, 10 video cassettes, 11 audio cassettes, 24 name tags in plastic

sleeves (10 with satin ribbons), 4 paper name tags, 3 table place cards, 9 souvenir button pins, 1

key chain, 1 fabric school crest, 1 small metal pin, 1 satin ribbon, 377 35mm slides, 2 film strips,

1 metal tobacco container, 2 wall plaques, 1 medallion, 4 3.5” floppy diskettes in 37 boxes.

Biographical Sketch: Bernice Thurman Hunter was a Canadian children’s author. Her novels

are autobiographical in nature and depict Toronto during the Great Depression in the 1930’s. She

was born on November 3, 1922 in Toronto, Ontario and died on May 29, 2002 in Scarborough,

Ontario. She attended Birchcliff Public School, Swansea Public School and Runnymede

Collegiate Institute. Her interest in writing started during her childhood when she would often

entertain friends with her own stories. When Ms. Hunter was fourteen she met her idol, Lucy

Maude Montgomery (author of Anne of Green Gables) who was living in Toronto. (The visit is

described in her book As Ever, Booky). Ms. Hunter presented one of her stories and solicited

advice from Ms. Montgomery on how she too could become a published writer. The famous

author noticed that Bernice had a good imagination but asserted that a writer must have a

university education. This was a disheartening piece of advice because Ms. Hunter’s family was

too poor to send her to university. Nevertheless, she continued to write. She married Lloyd

Hunter and the couple had two daughters, Anita and Heather Anne. She worked as a bookkeeper

for the T. Eaton Company. During the years when her children were young, she wrote stories for

them that included them as characters. After her children were grown, she bought an Underwood

typewriter and started to write seriously.

Hunter’s first publication was at the age forty-eight, when the Toronto Star newspaper published

the short story called “A Grandchild Can Make Life Beautiful Again.” In 1981 Ms. Hunter

published her first work That Scatterbrain Booky. This was the first of the “Booky” trilogy which

also includes With Love From Booky (1983) and As Ever, Booky (1985). Other titles include

Hawk and Stretch, A Place for Margaret (1984), Margaret in the Middle (1986), Lamplighter

(1987), Margaret On Her Way (1988), The Railroader (1990), The Firefighter (1991), Hawk and

Stretch (1993), Amy's Promise (1995), Janey’s Choice (1998), Two Much Alike (1999), The

Runaway (2001), and It Takes Two (2002). All of her books were published by Scholastic

Canada. Other short stories and guides to writing for children were published. A musical of That

Scatterbrain Booky was first performed in 1990 and was made into a half-hour television drama

by Atlantis Films and shown on the Global TV network in 1992.

Ms. Hunter visited many schools and libraries across Canada as a guest speaker. She was a

member of the Writers Union of Canada; the Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators

and Performers (CANSCAIP); and the Canadian Authors Association. She was nominated for

many awards and won several. She was appointed Member of the Order of Canada in October

2001 for her literary contributions to the arts. The Ceremony of Investiture took place

posthumously in Halifax on October 26, 2002.

Custodial history: Acquired from Ms. Hunter’s daughter Anita Farley, 39 Leeswood Crescent,

Scarborough, Ontario, August 23, 2002.

Scope and content: Fonds mainly consists of records of Ms. Hunter’s writing life. Most of the

records are from her literary productive years between 1981 and 2002. Records include evidence

of writing, speaking engagements, reviews, promotions, autobiographies, research, fan mail and

awards. Much of the fan mail is annotated with dates that Ms. Hunter replied to the sender. The

fonds also contains personal material, such as letters and cards from family and friends, family

photographs, and calendars.

Arrangement: The fonds was arranged by the archivist into series as listed in the index. The

material was boxed by the family and delivered to the Osborne Collection at the Lillian H. Smith

Library in Toronto. The material was received in disorder. In cases where it was evident that Ms.

Hunter imposed order, this order was preserved. In general, all duplicates of records were culled.

The fonds was arranged into 37 boxes. The box numbers accompany the finding aid descriptions

down the left side of the page.

Restrictions: There are no restrictions on access.

Finding aids: Detailed finding aid available; file level control.

Notes: Title based on name of creator of the fonds.

Series Index (with sub-series)

Box 1

1.0 Bulletin board

Dates of creation: [194-?] – 2001.

Physical description: Textual records and 3 photos mounted with push pins on a cork bulletin

board with wood frame measuring 60.5 x 45.5 x 2.5 cm (L x W x D).

Scope and content: This file consists of records on a cork bulletin board. Material includes

business cards, return address labels clipped from envelopes, research material for her books,

handwritten notes of ideas for her books, small calendars from 1943 and 1945, an award ribbon

with name tag and 3 photographs.

Notes: Title based on mounting device of series.

2.0 Correspondence

Dates of creation: 1937-2002.

Physical description: 1.7m of textual records, 4 photographs, 1 video cassette, and 2 film strips

in 8 boxes.

Scope and content: Series consists of three sub-series: fan mail, personal mail, business mail.

The mail is sorted into three streams to give evidence of the three sides to Ms. Hunter’s life. She

communicated with her family and close friends and conducted business with her publisher and

colleagues. Overwhelmingly, the volume of fan mail is the largest amount of mail that she

received. All of the fan mail is admiring in nature. Most of the individual letters are marked with

dates when Ms. Hunter replied to the sender.

Notes: Title based on content of series.

2.1 Fan mail

Dates of creation: 1981 – 2002.

Physical description: 144cm of textual records, 2 photographs, 1 video cassette and 2 film

strips in 4 boxes.

Scope and content: Sub-series consists of fan mail, mainly from children. The mail is

arranged chronologically. The oversized fan mail is mostly undated and is stored in its own

container. There is a separate file for her favourite fan, a young girl from Sweden named

Hedda. The last file is titled Other Favourite Letters that contains letters stored separately by

Ms. Hunter.

Notes: Title based on content of the sub-series.

Boxes 4, 5, 6, 7

2.1.1 Fan mail, 1981-2002


Physical description: 54cm of textual records, 1 photograph in 4 boxes, 2 filmstrips, and 1

video cassette.

Scope and content: File consists of fan mail, mainly from children. The mail is arranged

chronologically into 25 file folders and 1 box of oversized fan mail. Much of the mail is

annotated by Ms. Hunter with the date that she replied to the fan.

Notes: Title based on contents of file. Box 7 – 2 filmstrips and 1 video cassette are stored

in box 7.

Box 8

2.1.2 Hedda Via


Physical description: 1 file of textual records, 1 photograph.

Scope and content: File consists of 21 letters from Hedda Via, a child from Sweden. The

mail is arranged chronologically into 1 file folder.

Notes: Title based on author of contents of file.

2.1.3 Other favourite letters


Physical description: 1 file of textual records.

Scope and content: File consists of 4 letters and 1 invitation to the Canadian Book Awards

champagne reception and banquet in Toronto in 1984. During the champagne reception,

Ms. Hunter collected the signatures of authors Ben Wicks, Don Harron and Timothy

Findley.

Notes: Title of file is taken from label on original folder.

Boxes 8, 9

2.2 Personal mail


Physical description: 26cm of textual records, 2 photographs in 2 boxes.

Scope and content: Sub-series consists of personal mail, most of it received by Ms. Hunter.

The sub-series is arranged into 5 files. There is a file that is mail mainly sent by Ms. Hunter to

other people. There is a file of letters received from Ms. Hunter’s friends in England, John and

Jean Neville. The majority of the sub-series is mail in the form of letters and cards received by

Ms. Hunter. The mail is arranged chronologically with undated mail at the end.

Notes: Title based on content of sub-series.

2.2.1 L. M. Montgomery and other special autographs


Physical description: 1 folder of textual records.

Scope and content: File consists of 6 letters from famous and influential people that Ms.

Hunter grouped together. They are Lucy Maud Montgomery, Oprah Winfrey, Ronald

Reagan, Deanna Durbin (2 letters) and Dave Jenkinson from the University of Manitoba.

Notes: Title taken from the label of original file folder.

2.2.1.1 Letter from Lucy Maud Montgomery

Dates of creation: [After July 12, 1937].

Physical description: 2 pages.

Scope and content: Item is a photocopy of the first page of the letter that Ms. Hunter

received from Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables in 1937. The

front of the envelope is also copied. This letter is in response to a letter that Ms. Hunter

wrote asking for advice on how to become a writer.

Notes: Title based on the item.

The date of the photocopy is not known.

2.2.2 Jean and Neville Robertson


Physical description: 1 folder of textual records, 1 photograph.

Scope and content: File consists of 14 letters and cards from Jean and Neville Robertson

of Suffolk, England who were friends of Ms. Hunter. There is also correspondence between

Mrs. Irene “Cuckoo” Mulley and Mia “”Pie” Abbott and the Robertson’s regarding the

negative portrayal of the characters Mother Button, Flossie and Auntie Murna in Ms.

Hunter’s novel The Runaway. These characters were based on real people.

Notes: Title based on authors of contents of file.

2.2.3 Women’s College Hospital

Dates of creation: 1945.

Physical description: 2 textual records.

Scope and content: File consists of 2 letters pertaining to the delivery of one of Ms.

Hunter’s children.

Notes: Title based on contents of file.

2.2.4 From Bernice Thurman Hunter and others

Dates of creation: 1938-1956, 1968-1975, 2002.

Physical description: 1 folder of textual records, 1 photograph.

Scope and content: File consists of 3 sets of correspondence. The first group contains old

letters that Ms. Hunter sent to family members and one postcard from her parents. The

second group contains postcards and 1 letter from Ms. Hunter and her husband to their

children. The third group contains 3 cards of condolence to Ms. Hunter’s family after her

death in 2002.


2.2.5 Letters and cards


Physical description: 8 folders of textual records.

Scope and content: File consists of letters and greeting cards received by Ms. Hunter

starting with wedding greetings from her Aunt Alice in 1942. Material includes cards for

Mother’s Day, Christmas and birthdays from her siblings, children and friends. This file is

arranged chronologically with undated items put at the end.


Box 10

2.3 Business mail


Physical description: 13cm of textual records.

Scope and content: Sub-series is arranged into 3 files. The first file includes letters from Ms.

Hunter’s publishers, notices of business events, minutes of CANSCAIP meetings, mail from

colleagues, requests for biographical information. The mail is ordered chronologically with

one undated item at the end.

The second file contains rejection letters collated by Ms. Hunter.

The third file contains various material regarding the publication of That Scatterbrain Booky.

Notes: Title based on content of sub-series.

2.3.1 Business

Dates of creation: 1973- 2002.

Physical description: 7 folders of textual records.

Scope and content: File includes mail from various publishers, libraries, The Writer’s

Union of Canada, and CANSCAIP. The material is related to Ms. Hunter’s business of

having her work published. The file is arranged chronologically with 1 undated item at the

end.

Four books that accompanied the letter from Scholastic Book Fairs, dated March 21, 2002,

are shelved the Canadiana collection of the Lillian H. Smith library. The titles of the books

are:

A Job for Jesse

My Dog Ralph

The Lonely Inukshuk

The Baby in the Basket


2.3.2 Rejection letters


Physical description: 1 folder of textual records, 1 cardboard binder.

Scope and content: File consists of rejection letters and 1 photocopy of a cheque and stub

for the story “Imagination.” This material was grouped together by the creator.

Notes: Title taken from title on original file binder.

2.3.3 Booky notices etc.


Physical description: 1 folder of textual records.

Scope and content: File consists of a variety of material that was grouped by Ms. Hunter

related to the publication of That Scatterbrain Booky. Material includes reviews, mail from

the publisher, a letter to and from Mr. Fredrik Eaton and a CANSCAIP newsletter.

Notes: Title taken from title on original envelope.

Box 11, 12, 13

3.0 Publicity

Dates of creation: 1981-2002

Physical description: 39cm of textual records, 49 photographs, 377 35mm slides, 8 video

cassettes, 3 audio cassettes, 24 name tags in plastic sleeves (10 with satin ribbons), 4 paper name

tags, 3 table place cards, 6 buttons, 1 key chain, 1 fabric school crest, 1 small metal pin, 1 satin

ribbon

Scope and content: Series consists of material related to evidence of the publicity and promotion

of Ms. Hunter’s work. This series is arranged into 7 files and 2 sub-series. Material includes

advertisements, autobiographies, portraits and interviews, letters to fans, educational

complements to books, evidence of many public appearances and 35mm slides and speech notes

written by Ms. Hunter.

Notes: Title based on content of series. Box 3 – Non-textual material is stored in Box 3. Box 1 –

Diorama is stored in Box 1.

Box 11

3.1 Advertisements


Physical description: 1 file of textual records, 5 posters

Scope and content: File consists of advertisement material related to Ms. Hunter’s books,

public appearances, and the theatrical and television productions of That Scatterbrain Booky.

Material includes newspaper and magazine clippings and large size posters.

Notes: Title based on content of file. Box 1 – Five large posters are stored in Box 1.

3.2 Autobiographies

Dates of creation: [198-]-[199-]

Physical description: 1 file of textual records

Scope and content: File consists of autobiographies, many with lists of books published to

date. Two printouts of the files C:\BIOG. AND C:\CANSCAIP. are included. These files are

now stored on diskette 2 in file 4.1.2.


3.3 Portraits/interviews


Physical description: 1 file of textual records, 8 video cassettes, 3 audio cassettes

Scope and content: File consists of published print portraits of and video and audio taped

interviews with Ms. Hunter. Material includes magazines, photocopies from various sources,

CANSCAIP newsletters, two directories of authors and artists and a print out of Scholastic

Canada Ltd.’s web site information on Ms. Hunter.

Notes: Title based on contents of file. Boxes 2, 3 – Five video tapes dated 1981, 1985, and

1987 (quantity of 3) and audio cassettes are stored in Box 2. Three video tapes dated 1987,

1988, and 1990 are stored in Box 3.

3.4 Letters to fans



Scope and content: File consists of Ms. Hunter’s typed letters to fans covering topics such as

being a writer and where she got the ideas for her stories. A printout of the file

C:\WP_SAVE\CCL. from Ms. Hunter’s computer is also included. This file is now stored on

diskette 1 in file 4.1.2.


3.5 Author study

Dates of creation: [199-?]-2000


Scope and content: File consists of author studies that were prepared for teachers to assist in

presenting Ms. Hunter’s works to students. Material includes studies for That Scatterbrain

Booky, Lampligher, and Ms. Hunter’s novels in general.

Notes: Title taken from envelope of one of the items in the file.

3.6 The Runaway

Dates of creation: 2001


Scope and content: File consists of material related to the launch of The Runaway. Material

includes an invitation to the book launch, a copy of a letter from Scholastic Canada to book

reviewers, samples of promotional materials, cards of congratulations, and Ms. Hunter’s

speech.

Notes: Title taken from folder holding the contents of the file.

Boxes 11, 12

3.7 Scholastic book catalogues


Physical description: 1file of textual records in 2 folders

Scope and content: File consists of book catalogues containing Ms. Hunter’s books.

Catalogues are mainly from her publisher Scholastic Canada Ltd. Other catalogues are from

Canadian Children’s Books Rights (1982) and The Children’s Book Store (1983).


Box 12

3.8 Public appearances

Dates of creation: 1978, 1981-2002

Physical description: 13cm of textual records, 49 photographs, 1 paper bag, 24 name tags in

plastic sleeves (10 with satin ribbons), 5 paper name tags, 3 table place cards, 7 buttons, 1 key

chain, 1 fabric school crest, 3 small metal pins, 1 satin ribbon, 1 cardboard diorama, 1 video

cassette

Scope and content: Sub-series consists of material related to her Ms. Hunter’s many speaking

engagements. This series is arranged into 8 files. The first 4 files cover general appearances in

chronological order from 1981 to 2002. Three appearances resulted in significant amounts of

material collected and stored as a unit by the author. These files are from appearances in

Summerside, PEI, Taber, AB, and Ottawa, ON. Another contains material from undated

public appearances including a diorama of a scene from the novel The Railroader.

The last file contains 12 name tags and mementos such as 6 buttons, a small gold-coloured

metal pin of Toronto city hall, a fabric school crest, and a key chain.

Textual material includes invitations to appear, newspaper clippings, agendas, thank you notes

and tour report sheets filled out by Ms. Hunter.

Notes: Title based on content of sub-series. Box 3 – Non-textual material is stored in Box 3.

Box 12

3.8.1 Appearances 1981 – 1984


Physical description: 1 file of textual records, 4 photographs

Scope and content: File consists of evidence of Ms. Hunter’s public appearances at

schools, libraries, and conferences. Material includes letters of confirmation, agendas,

thank you letters and cards, press releases and newspaper clippings.


3.8.2 Appearances 1985 – 1989


Physical description: 1 file of textual records, 1 photograph


schools, libraries, and conferences. Material includes letters of confirmation, agendas,

thank you letters and cards, and newspaper clippings.


3.8.3 Appearances 1990 – 1996




schools, libraries, and conferences. Material includes announcements, letters of

confirmation, agendas, thank you letters and cards, press releases and newspaper clippings.


3.8.4 Appearances 1998 - 2002




schools, libraries, and conferences. Material includes announcements of her impending

visits, letters of confirmation, a speech and accompanying material, copies of public

reading reports, agendas, thank you letters and cards, and copies of newspaper clippings.


3.8.5 Summerside, Prince Edward Island - 1989

Dates of creation: 1978, 1989

Physical description: 1 file of textual records, 15 photographs, 1 paper bag, and 1 video

cassette

Scope and content: File consists of evidence of Ms. Hunter’s public appearances in

Summerside, PEI at schools and the library during Library Week festivities. Material

includes agendas, souvenir paper bag and post cards, newspaper clippings, The Island

Magazine which is a publication of history and folklore, and a video cassette of Ms.

Hunter.

Notes: Title based on contents of file. Box 3 – Video cassette is stored in Box 3.

3.8.6 Taber, Alberta - 1992



Scope and content: File consists of evidence of Ms. Hunter’s visit to L.T. Westlake

School in Taber, AB as a result of a teacher winning a contest sponsored by Scholastic

Canada Ltd. Material includes school newsletters, letters of thanks, a copy of a newspaper

clipping, and information on the city of Taber. Ms. Hunter originally stored this

information together in a tan plastic legal-size folder.


3.8.7 Ottawa, Ontario - 1993



Scope and content: File consists of evidence of Ms. Hunter’s participation in 3 workshops

at the Young Authors and Young Illustrators Conference hosted by the Multicultural Arts

for Schools and Communities (MARC) in Ottawa, ON. Material includes an orientation

letter, agendas, photographs, and the speeches delivered by Ms. Hunter. This material was

kept together by the creator.


3.8.8 Undated appearances

Dates of creation: [198-?] - [200-?]


Scope and content: File consists of evidence of undated public appearances. Material

includes cards and letters of thanks, an agenda, photographs, and newspaper clippings.

A cardboard diorama of a scene from the novel The Railroader was made out of a tissue

box. It was either constructed by Ms. Hunter or a fan. It has a light bulb and wires to

connect to a power source to light it up.

Notes: Title based on contents of file. Box 1 – Diorama is stored in Box 1.

Box 3

3.8.9 Name tags

Dates of creation: [198-?]-[200-?]

Physical description: 24 name tags in plastic sleeves (10 with satin ribbons), 5 paper name

tags, 3 table place cards, 7 buttons, 1 key chain, 1 fabric school crest, 3 small metal pins, 1

satin ribbon

Scope and content: File consists of various name tags and souvenirs from public

appearances at schools, libraries, conferences, and dinners.


Box 13

3.9 Speeches and slide shows


Physical description: 13cm of textual records, 413 35mm slides

Scope and content: Sub-series consists of various speech notes and 35mm slides used by Ms.

Hunter for her presentations.

Notes: Title based on contents of sub-series.

3.9.1 Kodak slide tray


Physical description: 1 file of textual records, 45 35mm slides

Scope and content: File consists of 35mm slides that were mounted in a Kodak Carousel

Transvue 80 slide tray and text of speeches that were also stored with them. This represents

Ms. Hunter’s traveling slide show for the various public appearances that she made.


3.9.2 Presentations



Scope and content: File consists of material related to 3 different speeches given by Ms.

Hunter. Material includes the speech delivered to the Swansea Historical Society, the

acceptance letter to participate in the National Book Week in Summerside, PEI, and a 5

page speech titled “Presentation.”.

Notes: Title based on title printed on original file folder.

3.9.3 Speeches



Scope and content: File consists of speaking notes used by Ms. Hunter at her public

appearances.


3.9.4 CANSCAIP

Dates of creation: [199-]


Scope and content: File consists of material related to Ms. Hunter’s participation in the

Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP)

conference titled “Packaging Your Imagination.” Material includes speaking notes,

magazine clippings, and copies of her work with editing marks.

Notes: Title taken from original folder cover.

3.9.5 Photos – slides


Physical description: 1 file of textual records, 57 35mm slides

Scope and content: File consists of 35mm slides of Ms. Hunter at home and making a

public appearance, a young girls holding the 3 Booky books, and reproductions of very old

family photos. There is a photo labeled “Family Now” which may be Ms. Hunter with her

siblings.

Material also includes a textual draft of the video “Meet the Author: Bernice Thurman

Hunter”.

Notes: Title taken from title printed on original folder.

3.9.6 Writing stages

Dates of creation: [198-?]

Physical description: 1 file of 12 35mm slides

Scope and content: File consists of 35mm slides of various stages of Ms. Hunter’s writing

process and reproductions of old pictures.

Notes: Title taken from title printed on original plastic slide box.

3.9.7 Booky pictures - 1 of 2



Scope and content: File consists of 35mm slides of Ms. Hunter as a young person and in

front of Lucy Maude Montgomery’s former house in Toronto, the cover of the novel The

Railroader, and various antique items.

Notes: Title taken from title printed on original plastic slide box. There were 2 slide boxes

with same label.

3.9.8 Booky pictures - 2 of 2



Scope and content: File consists of 35mm slides of Ms. Hunter with her siblings, the

covers of the novels That Scatterbrain Booky and Lamplighter, and various old pictures.

Notes: Title taken from title printed on original plastic slide box. There were 2 slide boxes

with same label. There were 25 slides in the box; the last 4 slides were stored near the slide

box.

3.9.9 Barbara Woodhouse – DOGS



Scope and content: File consists of 35mm slides of Ms. Hunter, her daughter Meredith as

Booky, covers of the novels With Love From Booky and A Place for Margaret, and

students assembled on the front steps of a school.


3.9.10 Washer (wheel)



Scope and content: File consists of 35mm slides of antique family photos, art work and

the cover of her novel Margaret In the Middle, a wooden washer and historical scenes of

Toronto.


3.9.11 Some Booky replacements



Scope and content: File consists of 35mm slides of That Scatterbrain Booky artwork.


3.9.12 Swansea



Scope and content: File consists of 35mm slides of for Ms. Hunter’s presentation to the

Swansea Historical Society.

Notes: Title based on label of original envelope.

3.9.13 Slide box 1



Scope and content: File consists of 35mm slides that were part of Ms. Hunter’s traveling

road show. Images include covers of various novels, historical scenes of Toronto and pages

from old Eaton’s catalogues.

Notes: Title based on arbitrary ordering of slide boxes that had no title supplied by creator.

3.9.14 Slide box 2




road show. Images include historical scenes of Toronto and pages from old Eaton’s

catalogues.


3.9.15 Slide box 3




road show. Images include historical images of family and movie stars and modern images

of Ms. Hunter standing in front of a half-timber house.


3.9.16 Slide box 4




road show. Images include the cover of the novel Margaret On Her Way, historical scenes

of Toronto and pages from old Eaton’s catalogues.


3.9.17 Slide box 5




road show. Images include covers of various novels, pages from her short stories The

Heirloom and The Skaters, historical scenes of Toronto.


3.9.18 Slide box 6




road show. Images include the cover and a page of That Scatterbrain Booky, the cover of

The Firefighter, historical scenes of Toronto and family and pages from old Eaton’s

catalogues.


3.9.19 Miscellaneous slides




road show. Images include covers of various novels that were translated into foreign

languages.


Box 14, 15, 16, 17

4.0 Writings

Dates of creation: [196-] – 2001

Physical description: 1.75 m of textual records, 4 photographs, 4 3.5” floppy diskettes, 1

sweatshirt, 2 video cassettes, 1 pencil

Scope and content: Series contains records related to Ms. Hunter’s published and unpublished

work, including novels, short stories, poetry and picture books in collaboration with an

illustrator. Material includes handwritten notes, typed drafts and manuscripts, and printouts from

Ms. Hunter’s computer.

The computer files are in WordPerfect 5.1 format and have been copied onto 4 diskettes that are

stored in file 4.1.2. A printout of the directory tree from Ms. Hunter’s computer is also included.

Series and file numbers have been noted beside each file name along with the diskette on to

which it is copied.

This series is arranged into 2 sub-series: Published material and Unpublished material.

Notes: Title based on content of the series.

4.1 Published material

Dates of creation: 1974 - 2001

Physical description: 1.49 m of textual records, 2 photographs, 4 3.5” floppy diskettes, 1

sweatshirt, 2 video cassettes

Scope and content: Sub-series contains records related to Ms. Hunter’s published work,

including novels and short stories. Material includes notes, drafts, manuscript copies and

galley proofs. Sub-series is arranged into 17 files, one for each published work and the last for

short stories.


Box 14

4.1.1 That Scatterbrain Booky

Dates of creation: [198-?] - 1996

Physical description: 6.5cm of textual records in 4 folders

Scope and content: File contains records related to the writing of the novel That

Scatterbrain Booky. Material includes 3 drafts of the book (2 typed, 1 handwritten), and a

partial version which was printed from the file C:\WP_SAVE\MENU.CNF from Ms.

Hunter’s computer. This file is now stored on diskette 1 in file 4.1.2.

Two of the drafts are titled My Mother Called Me Booky. Material also includes the

camera-ready copy of the book cover. The novel was published in 1981.

Notes: Title based on contents of the file.

Box 15

4.1.2 With Love From Booky


Physical description: 6.5 cm file of textual records in 7 folders and 4 3.5” floppy diskettes

containing 33 WordPerfect 5.1 files from Ms. Hunter’s computer and a printout of the hard

disk file structure

Scope and content: File contains records related to the writing of the novel With Love

From Booky. Material includes 5 drafts and 1 galley proof. Other titles of this novel that

appear on the drafts are The Gang On Veeny Street and Growing Up With Booky. One

version is a collection of handwritten notes and typed pages from the author’s early work

on this novel. The novel was published in 1983. Copies of two published short story

adaptations of the novel, under the names White Smock and My Hero, are also included.

Four diskettes containing the WordPerfect 5.1 files from Ms. Hunter’s hard disk are stored

with this file due to space availability in the box.


Box 16

4.1.3 A Place For Margaret



Scope and content: File contains records related to the writing of the novel A Place For

Margaret which was initially titled Starr. Material includes 3 drafts, 2 sets of early notes

and a short story called “Horse Sense”, the precursor to the novel. The novel was published

in 1984. A copy of an excerpt from the novel is also included.


Box 17

4.1.4 As Ever, Booky



Scope and content: File contains records related to the writing of the novel As Ever,

Booky. Material includes 2 drafts, handwritten notes and typed pages. The novel was

published in 1985. A copy of a published short story adaptation of the novel, under the

name Tea and Advice, is also included.


Box 16

4.1.5 Margaret In the Middle


Physical description: 1 file of textual records in 1 folder

Scope and content: File contains records related to the writing of the novel Margaret In

the Middle. Material includes 1 draft and 2 pads of handwritten notes. The novel was

published in 1986.


Box 18

4.1.6 Lamplighter


Physical description: 13cm of textual records in 5 folders

Scope and content: File contains records related to the writing and publishing of

Lamplighter. Material includes 4 draft versions, “junk pages” and mail from the publisher.

The novel was published in 1987.


The original sketch of the log house in this novel can be found in the Mark Thurman fonds.

He is Ms. Thurman’s nephew.

Box 19

4.1.7 Margaret On Her Way



Scope and content: File contains records related to the writing of Margaret On Her Way.

Material includes 1 complete draft and a variety of handwritten notes and typed pages. The

last folder contains a mix of typed pages and handwritten notes from Margaret In the

Middle and Margaret On Her Way. The novel was published in 1988.


Box 20

4.1.8 The Railroader



Scope and content: File contains records related to the writing and publishing of the novel

The Railroader. Material includes handwritten research and story notes, 1 draft, the final

edited version with photocopies of photos to be used in the book, and a camera-ready copy

of the book cover. The novel was published in 1990.


Box 21

4.1.9 The Firefighter

Dates of creation: [198-?] – [199-]

Physical description: 1 file of textual records in 4 folders

Scope and content: File consists of records related to the writing of the novel The

Firefighter. Material includes 2 sets of rough notes and 2 drafts. The novel was published

in 1991.


Box 22

4.1.10 Hawk and Stretch


Physical description: 1 file folder of textual records

Scope and content: File consists of records related to the writing of the novel Hawk and

Stretch. Material includes 1 pad sets of handwritten notes, many typed draft pages and

printouts of files C:\BILLY.C19 and C:\Y. from Ms. Hunter’s computer. These files are

now stored on diskette 4 in file 4.1.2. The novel was published in 1993.


Box 23

4.1.11 Janey’s Choice


Physical description: 13cm of textual records in 9 folders

Scope and content: File contains material related to the writing of the novel Janey’s

Choice. Material includes handwritten notes, a marked up print out, and 7 print outs of files

from Ms. Hunter’s computer. The novel was published in 1998. The computer files are

stored on diskettes 1, 2, and 3 in file 4.1.2.


Box 24

4.1.12 That Scatterbrain Booky adaptations


Physical description: 1 file folder of textual records, 1 sweatshirt, 2 video cassettes

Scope and content: File contains records related to the adaptation of the novel That

Scatterbrain Booky into a theatrical production, 2 musicals, and a television drama.

Material includes a ticket, program and information from the theatrical production at the

Cascade Theatre in 1991, a program and 2 tickets from the musical production at Birch

Cliff Public School in 1991, a study guide, draft copy of the script, and a sweatshirt signed

by the cast of the musical production at Young People’s Theatre in 1991/1992, and a

sweatshirt from the theatre signed by cast and crew of the musical.

Two copies of the television drama from 1995 and 1997 are also included.

Notes: Title based on contents of file. Box 3 – Video cassettes are stored in Box 3.

Box 25

4.1.13 Amy’s Promise


Physical description: 1 file of textual records in 7 folders, 2 photographs


Amy’s Promise. Material includes handwritten notes, a letter from the publisher, and

printouts from 6 computer files. The novel was published in 1995. The computer files are

stored on diskettes 1, 2, and 3 in file 4.1.2.


Box 26

4.1.14 Two Much Alike



Scope and content: File contains records related to the writing of the novel Two Much

Alike. Material includes research information and 3 printouts of files from Ms. Hunter’s

computer files. The novel was published in 2000. The computer file is stored on diskettes

2, 3, and 4in file 4.1.2.


Box 22

4.1.15 The Runaway

Dates of creation: [199-] - 2001


Scope and content: File contains records related to the writing of the novel The Runaway.

Material includes research notes, a typed manuscript, and 2 manuscript printouts from

computer files. The novel was published in 2001. The computer files are stored on diskettes

1 and 2 in file 4.1.2.


Box 22, 27

4.1.16 It Takes Two

Dates of creation: [199-] - 2001



It Takes Two. Material includes handwritten notes, one marked up computer printout, 2

printouts of computer files and the edited version from the publisher. The novel was

published in 2002. The computer files are stored on diskette 2 in file 4.1.2.

Notes: Title based on contents of file. Box 22 – File 1 of 5 is found in Box 22.

4.1.17 Short stories

Dates of creation: 1974 - [198-]


Scope and content: File contains records related to the Ms. Hunter’s published short

stories. Stories are arranged chronologically with undated works at the end. Two of the

works are guides to writing for children. Titles of the works are:

“Nana, Go Home!”

“A Special Day”

“The Derby”

“Blood Sisters”

“Chrissy”

“Katie’s Promise”

“Emergency”

“Sonja Dunn, story teller extraordinaire”

“The Skaters”

“Getting Started”

“About Writing for Children”

“I Wonder How It Feels”

“Imagination”

“The Heirloom”


Box 28, 29

4.2 Unpublished material

Dates of creation: [196-] – [199-]

Physical description: 26cm of textual records, 2 photographs, 1 pencil

Scope and content: Sub-series contains records related to Ms. Hunter’s unpublished work,

including a novel, short stories and poetry. Material includes notes and drafts. Sub-series is

arranged into 16 files, one for each published work and the last for short stories.


Box 28

4.2.1 Me First



Scope and content: File contains records related to the unpublished picture book Me First,

A Booky Picture Book. Ms. Hunter worked with her nephew Mark Thurman, a Canadian

children’s illustrator, who provided the art work. Material includes handwritten notes, 12

typed draft versions, 1 colour prototype of the book, 2 copies of the black and white art

work, and a printout of the file C:\WP_SAVE\ME. from Ms. Hunter’s computer. The

printout contains 3 versions of Me First, a bible passage from First Corinthian, 4 versions

of Telephone Magic (unpublished picture book), 1 version of a short story called “My All-

time Favourite”, and a poem titled “Happy Birthday Gladys.” The computer file is stored

on diskette 3 in file 4.1.2.

Three versions of the "The Store Lady" were stored in the same envelope as some of the

Me First drafts. This envelope is now represented in folder 2. A colour prototype of this

book was produced and re-titled Nuts To All. The prototype can be found in file 4.2.2,

folder 2 of 2.


4.2.2 Telephone Magic



Scope and content: File contains records related to the unpublished picture book

Telephone Magic, A Booky Picture Book. Ms. Hunter worked with her nephew Mark

Thurman, a Canadian children’s illustrator, who provided the art work. Material includes 4

typed draft versions, 1 colour prototype of the book, and 1 colour copy of 3 covers of the

picture books that Ms. Hunter was working on with Mr. Thurman.

The second folder of this file contains the prototypes of the 3 pictures books Me First,

Telephone Magic and Nuts To All. They were contained in an envelope along with black

and white art work showing Booky in different views.


4.2.3 Fluff



Scope and content: File contains records related to the unpublished short stories “The

Quarrel”, “The Forbidden Door”, and “Fluff, the Apartment Cat.” Material includes

handwritten and typed drafts.

Notes: Title taken from label on original file folder.

4.2.4 Bird Brain



Scope and content: File contains records related to the unpublished short story “Bird

Brain” and poems “The Rescue” and “Wheels”. Material includes typed drafts. One is a

printout of the file C:\WP_SAVE\BIRD. from Ms. Hunter’s computer. This file is now

stored on diskette 1 in file 4.1.2.

The second folder contains the contents of an envelope grouped by the creator. It contains

the poems and also autobiographical information.


4.2.5 The Mysterious Stranger



Scope and content: File contains records related to the unpublished short story “The

Mysterious Stranger.” Material includes 2 typed drafts with handwritten edits.


4.2.6 The Mixed-up Clown



Scope and content: File contains records related to the idea for a short story called “The

Mixed-up Clown.” Material includes a photograph of a clown, handwritten notes, and the

original envelope.

Notes: Title based on contents of file

4.2.7 The Great Ring of Canada



Scope and content: File contains records related to the unpublished articles “The Great

Ring of Canada” and a sequel. The first article was written by Ms. Hunter and Ms. Dorothy

Tillson, the second by Ms. Tillson alone. Material includes handwritten notes by Ms.

Tillson, 2 typed drafts (one with illustrations), a photograph of Ms. Tillson and 2

manuscripts of short stories by Ms. Tillson called “The Elevator” and “My Johnny.”


4.2.8 Diana



Scope and content: File contains records related to the unpublished short stories “Diana”,

“Happy Birthday Irene”, “Tinder Box” and the poem “Wheels.” The short stories were

written under the pseudonym Helen B. Hunter. Material includes typed drafts and

handwritten notes, and a blank stationary letter.

Material also includes a copy of a manuscript for a television drama called Me and You by

Ms. Hunter’s daughter Heather Hunter Berthelet.

Notes: Title taken from label on original file folder.

4.2.9 The Orange Tree



Scope and content: File contains records related to the unpublished short story “The

Orange Tree.” Material includes 2 typed drafts.


4.2.10 Francelina

Dates of creation: [198-?] - [199-]


Scope and content: File contains records related to the unpublished short stories

“Francelina” and “The Cowbell” and information on the history of the village of Swansea

and Ms. Hunter’s family tree. Material is divided into 2 folders. The first folder contains

handwritten notes for “The Cowbell”, the historical records and the envelope that Ms.

Hunter used to group these records. The second folder contains handwritten notes for

“Francelina.”


4.2.11 Damn You For Dying



Scope and content: File contains records related to the unpublished short story “Damn

You For Dying” about the death of Ms. Hunter’s sister Marlys. Material includes a

handwritten draft, notes and a birthday card from Marlys.


Box 29

4.2.12 A Visit With A Very Famous Person



Scope and content: File contains records related to the unpublished short story “A Visit

With A Very Famous Person.” Material includes a typed draft.


4.2.13 Poetry

Dates of creation: [196-] - [198-]


Scope and content: File contains records of Ms. Hunter’s poems. Material in the first

folder includes 17 personal poems and 4 drawings that were grouped together by Ms.

Hunter. One is a drawing of ‘Dit” by Ms. Hunter and the others are drawings by Meredith

at 3 years of age.

Material in the second folder includes 6 other poems written by Ms. Hunter.

Material in the third folder includes 1 poem and 1 letter.


4.2.14 Early submissions

Dates of creation: [197-] - [198-]


Scope and content: File contains records of Ms. Hunter’s early submissions of poetry and

short stories for publication. Material includes the poems “My Hoop-And-Stick” and

“Angels!”, and short stories “The Silver Star”, “Night Noises”, “Something For Danny”,

“What’s Your Name?”, “The Skaters”, “A Very Special Day”, “Chrissy” and “My Aunt

Alice.” Material also includes “Booky typo’s”, two notices of receipt of story submissions,

and professional author’s news.


4.2.15 Blue folder


Physical description: 1 file of textual records, 1 pencil

Scope and content: File contains records of Ms. Hunter’s early drafts of several stories.

Material includes version of “The Girls They Left Behind”, “My All-Time Favourite”

(published), chapter 18 from Two Much Alike (published), and a magazine article entitled

“How To Improve Your Writing” and instructions for using WordPerfect, Ms. Hunter’s

word processing program.

Notes: Title taken from type of original folder.

4.2.16 Kimberley



Scope and content: File contains records of the writing of the unpublished novel

Kimberley. Material includes handwritten notes, a typed manuscript and a printout of the

file C:\WP_SAVE\KIM. from Ms. Hunter’s computer. This file is now stored on diskette 1

in file 4.1.2.


4.2.17 Kim 2



Scope and content: File contains records of Ms. Hunter’s story ideas that were contained

in an envelope entitled “story ideas, material, Kim 2.” Material includes handwritten notes

and types pages for a Kimberley sequel, a poem about her grandson Hunter, and short

stories “Trixie the Tricycle”, “The Orange Tree” and “Heroes.”

Notes: Title taken from label on original envelope.

4.2.18 The Girls they Left Behind



Scope and content: File contains records of the unpublished novel The Girls They Left

Behind. Material contains 4 printouts of files from Ms. Hunter’s computer. These files are

now stored on diskette 1, 2, and 4 in file 4.1.2.


4.2.19 Lamplighter sequel



Scope and content: File contains records of the sequel to Lamplighter. Material includes

handwritten notes and types pages.


4.2.20 Chief Running-Foot In The Clouds



Scope and content: File contains records related to the unpublished short story “Chief

Running-Foot In The Clouds.” Material includes a typed draft.


4.2.21 Story ideas



Scope and content: File contains records related to unpublished short story ideas. Material

includes a handwritten draft, notes and a birthday card from Marlys.


4.2.22 Miscellaneous



Scope and content: File contains records related to 2 unpublished stories.


Box 30

5.0 Awards/Honours


Physical description: 13cm of textual records, 1 wooden wall plaque award, 5 photographs

Scope and content: Series consists of material related to her many awards, nominations and

honours and into 14 files which are ordered chronologically. Material includes official

notification correspondence, certificates, one wooden wall plaque, letters and cards of

congratulations, and newspaper articles.

Notes: Title based on content of series.

5.1 Toronto I.O.D.E. Book Award – 1981



Scope and content: File consists of material related to her Municipal Chapter of Toronto

I.O.D.E. Book Award for her book That Scatterbrain Booky. Material includes notification of

the award, the award certificate, invitation to the presentation of the award, and agenda for the

presentation.


5.2 City of Toronto Book Award – 1981



Scope and content: File consists of material related to her City of Toronto Book Award for

her book That Scatterbrain Booky. Material includes notification of the award, invitation to

the presentation of the award, and agenda for the presentation.


5.3 Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction (Nomination) – 1988



Scope and content: File consists of one letter that notifies Ms. Hunter about The Lamplighter

being nominated for the first Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction.


5.4 Vicky Metcalfe Body of Work Award – 1990



Scope and content: File consists of material related to her winning the Vicky Metcalfe Body

of Work Award from the Canadian Authors Association. Material includes notification of the

award, the award, invitation to the CAA Literary Awards Banquet and CAA Annual

Conference, agendas for the banquet and conference, and various announcements of Ms.

Hunter winning the award.

Notes: Title based on contents of file. Box 1 – The framed award certificate is stored in Box 1

of the Bernice Thurman Hunter fonds.

5.5 Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award (Nomination) – 1990


Physical description: 1 textual record

Scope and content: File consists of the brochure with voting form for the award.


5.6 Woman on the Move Award - 1990



Scope and content: File consists of the program and ticket for The Toronto Sun Women on

the Move awards luncheon.


5.7 Dora Mavor Moore Awards – 1990/91



Scope and content: File consists of material related to the Dora Mavor Awards for the

musical production of That Scatterbrain Booky. Material includes two newspaper articles on

the awards winners and the official program for the awards presentation ceremony.


5.8 Silver Birch Award – 1994



Scope and content: File consists of material related to the 1994 Silver Birch Award from the

Ontario Library Association for her novel The Firefighter. Material includes notification of

the award, and the award certificate.


5.9 Toronto Historical Board Commendation – 1994



Scope and content: File consists of material related to the Toronto Historical Board

Commendation for the novels Hawk and Stretch and The Firefighter. Material includes a letter

of appreciation for attending the awards presentation, a black and white photograph of Ms.

Hunter receiving the award, and a brochure of the winners signed by Mr. Ed Mirvish.

Notes: Title based on contents of file. Box 1 – The framed award certificate is stored in Box 1

of the Bernice Thurman Hunter fonds.

5.10 Silver Birch Award – 1995



Scope and content: File consists of the 1994 Silver Birch Award certificate from the Ontario

Library Association for her novel Hawk and Stretch.


5.11 City of Scarborough Bicentennial Civic Award of Merit – 1996


Physical description: 1 file of textual records, 1 medallion and 1 wall plaque

Scope and content: File consists of material related to the City of Scarborough Bicentennial

Civic Award of Merit. Material includes notification of the award, the plaque-mounted award,

the award in the form of a medallion, invitation to the presentation of the award, agenda for

the presentation, letter of gratitude for attending the ceremony with a colour photograph of

Ms. Hunter receiving the award. There is also an announcement of her winning and a letter of

congratulations.


5.12 Red Cedar Book Award – 1997-1998


Physical description: 1 file of textual records, 5 photographs, and 1 wooden wall plaque

Scope and content: File consists of material related to the 1997-1998 Red Cedar Book Award

from the Young Readers’ Choice Awards Society of British Columbia for the novel Amy’s

Promise. Material includes the award in paper form and as a cedar wood wall plaque, agenda

for the presentation, itinerary for travel, and a brochure describing the Red Cedar Book

Award.


5.13 Red Cedar Book Award – 2000-2001



Scope and content: File consists of material related to the 2000-2001 Red Cedar Book Award

from the Young Readers’ Choice Awards Society of British Columbia for the novel Janey’s

Choice. Material includes notification of nomination, invitation to the Awards Ceremony

Gala, the award in paper form, agenda for the presentation, itinerary for travel, and a poster of

the nominees.


5.14 Runnymede Collegiate’s Wall of Fame – 2002



Scope and content: File consists of material related to her selection as member of the Wall of

Fame at Runnymede Collegiate Institute in Toronto, Ontario. Material includes notification of

the honour and invitation to the ceremony and the certificate.


5.15 Member of the Order of Canada – 2002



Scope and content: File consists of material related to her being named a Member of the

Order of Canada. Material includes notification of recommendation for the award, a copy of

the Constitution of the Order of Canada, letters and cards of congratulations, and a newspaper

article on Ms. Hunter’s award.

Notes: Title based on contents of file. Box 1 – One large format card of congratulations is

stored in Box 1.

Box 31, 32, 33

6.0 Photographs

Dates of creation: [18– ] - [19–]

Physical description: 30cm of textual records, 381 photographs, 266 negatives, and 22 35mm

slides in 3 boxes

Scope and content: Series consists of photographs related to Ms. Hunter’s family and public

appearances.

Notes: Title based on contents of series.

Box 31, 32

6.1 Family


Physical description: 30cm textual records, 192 photographs, 20 negatives, 1 35mm slide in

3 boxes

Scope and content: Sub-series consists of photographs of Ms. Hunter and her family.

Notes: Title based on contents of sub-series.

Box 31

6.1.1 Black and white


Physical description: 2 textual records, 147 photographs, 10 negatives, 1 35mm slide in 1

box

Scope and content: File consists of black and white photographs of Ms. Hunter, her

family, including old photos of ancestors, and friends. Material includes both original and

copied photographs. Most material is undated.


Box 32

6.1.2 Colour

Dates of creation: [19–]

Physical description: 38 photographs, and 10 negatives

Scope and content: File consists of colour photographs of Ms. Hunter, her family and her

friends. Most material is undated.


6.1.3 Framed photographs

Dates of creation: [19–]

Physical description: 7 black and white and colour photographs

Scope and content: File consists of photographs of Ms. Hunter and her family, which were

received in frames. The photographs were removed from their frames by the archivist.


Box 32

6.2 Book covers


Physical description: 22 colour photographs, 28 negatives (and 4 13cm strips of black

negatives), and 21 colour 35mm slides

Scope and content: Sub-series consists of images of the covers of Ms. Hunter’s novels.

Images are undated.

Notes: Title based on contents of the sub-series.

6.3 Colour research

Dates of creation: 1988 – [199-]

Physical description: 21 colour photographs and 49 colour negatives

Scope and content: Sub-series consists of photographs of research for the novels Lamplighter

and The Runaway.


Box 33

6.4 School readings and travel

Dates of creation: [1984?] – [199-]

Physical description: 1 textual record, 136 colour photographs, 6 black and white

photographs, 4 colour photocopied photographs, 169 colour negatives in 1 box

Scope and content: Sub-series consists of photographs of Ms. Hunter at various public

appearances. Material also includes photographs of Ms. Hunter with her writing workshop

friends and travels. Dated photographs have been arranged chronologically with undated ones

at the end.


Box 34

7.0 Conferences

Dates of creation: [1986? – 1992?]

Physical description: 3 file folders of textual records, 1 souvenir button

Scope and content: Series consists of material related to Ms. Hunter’s attendance at various

conferences. Material includes programs, souvenirs, and travel documents.


7.1 Conference information

Dates of creation: [1986?] – [1992?]


Scope and content: File consists of material related to various conferences attended by Ms.

Hunter. Conferences include Ideashop ’86, Young Authors’ ’86, Storymakers ’89,

CANSCAIP’s Policy and Planning Seminar 1991. Material also includes information on

conferences that may or may not have been attended by her: The Writers’ Union of Canada

General Meeting 1992, Canadian Writers at Work – no date, and Book & Periodical

Development Council “Freedom to Read” Night – no date.


7.2 PEI stuff


Physical description: 1 file of textual records, 1 souvenir button

Scope and content: File consists of material related to Ms. Hunter’s participation in The

Shining Waters Children’s Book Festival in Prince Edward Island and her sightseeing while

there.

Notes: Title taken from original bag that held the contents of the file.

7.3 Travel documents



Scope and content: File consists of miscellaneous material from Ms. Hunter’s travels.

Material includes a boarding pass from Sault Ste. Marie, an airplane tickets to Charlottetown

and Winnipeg, a train menu, Visa receipt for train ticket to Dorval and a room receipt for the

Montréal Aéroport Hilton.


Box 35

8.0 Reviews


Physical description: 13cm of textual records

Scope and content: Series contains material related to reviews of Ms. Hunter’s published works.

There are also reviews of theatrical, musical and television adaptations of her novel That

Scatterbrain Booky.

The reviews are from newspapers and magazines. The material is a mixture of original copy and

photocopies. Duplicates were culled from the original collection. Originals were saved where

possible. Dates of photocopying are not known.

Notes: Title based on content of series

8.1 That Scatterbrain Booky



Scope and content: This file contains reviews of the novel That Scatterbrain Booky from

newspapers and magazines. Some are originals and some are photocopies.


8.2 With Love From Booky



Scope and content: This file contains reviews of the novel With Love From Booky from



8.3 A Place For Margaret



Scope and content: This file contains reviews of the novel A Place For Margaret from



8.4 As Ever, Booky



Scope and content: This file contains reviews of the novel As Ever, Booky from newspapers

and magazines. Some are originals and some are photocopies.


8.5 Margaret In The Middle



Scope and content: This file contains reviews of the novel Margaret In The Middle from



8.6 Lamplighter



Scope and content: This file contains reviews of the novel Lamplighter from newspapers and

magazines. Some are originals and some are photocopies.


8.7 Margaret On Her Way



Scope and content: This file contains reviews of the novel Margaret On Her Way from



8.8 That Scatterbrain Booky play



Scope and content: This file contains one review of the theatrical production of That

Scatterbrain Booky at the Cascade Theatre from The Toronto Star newspaper.


8.9 The Railroader



Scope and content: This file contains reviews of the novel The Railroader from newspapers



8.10 Booky: A Trilogy

Dates of creation: 1990, 1997, 1998


Scope and content: This file contains reviews of the Booky Boxed Set which contains That

Scatterbrain Booky, With Love From Booky and As Ever, Booky. Material is from newspapers



8.11 That Scatterbrain Booky musical



Scope and content: This file contains newspaper reviews of the musical production of That

Scatterbrain Booky at the Young People’s Theatre.


8.12 The Firefighter



Scope and content: This file contains reviews of the novel The Firefighter from newspapers



8.13 That Scatterbrain Booky television drama



Scope and content: This file contains one newspaper review of the television drama That

Scatterbrain Booky.


8.14 Hawk And Stretch



Scope and content: This file contains reviews of the novel Hawk and Stretch from magazines

and the Internet.


8.15 Amy’s Promise



Scope and content: This file contains reviews of the novel Amy’s Promise from newspapers



8.16 Janey’s Choice



Scope and content: This file contains reviews of the novel Janey’s Choice from newspapers



8.17 Two Much Alike



Scope and content: This file contains reviews of the novel Two Much Alike from newspapers,

magazines and the Internet. Some are originals and some are photocopies.


8.18 The Runaway



Scope and content: This file contains photocopies of reviews of the novel The Runaway from

newspapers and magazines.


8.19 General reviews



Scope and content: This file contains reviews of groups of Ms. Hunter’s novels from

newspapers, magazines and the Internet. Material also includes a handwritten summary by

Ms. Hunter of several reviews.


8.20 “Chrissy”

Dates of creation: [1981]


Scope and content: This file contains a review of the anthology Canadian Children’s Annual

1981 in which Ms. Hunter’s short story “Chrissy” appeared.


Box 34

9.0 Financial records

Dates of creation: [1986? – 1992?]

Physical description: 13cm of textual material

Scope and content: Series consists of material related to Ms. Hunter’s finances. Materials

include records of personal and business transactions. This series contains 9 files that separate

her records into payments for public readings and royalties, grant applications, contracts,

personal income tax , bank statements and receipts for purchases.


9.1 Payments for public readings

Dates of creation: [1982?] – 1984, 1994, 2000


Scope and content: File consists of payment receipts and cheque stubs of honorariums paid

for public readings at various Toronto and Scarborough public libraries, and one from the

Elgin County Board of Education.


9.2 Royalty reports



Scope and content: File consists of payment receipts and cheque stubs of royalties paid for

the sale of books.


9.3 Rights and permissions



Scope and content: File consists of payment receipts and cheque stubs of rights purchased

from Ms. Hunter to use various short stories and novels for reprints and translations.


9.4 Scholastic invoices



Scope and content: File consists of invoices from Scholastic Book Services for the purchase

of books.


9.5 Bank statements and VISA invoices



Scope and content: File consists of material related to personal finances. Material includes

bank statements, money order receipts, VISA card and TD Green Machine information, car

insurance, and VISA statements.


9.6 Miscellaneous receipts

Dates of creation: 1976, 1984-1986


Scope and content: File consists of miscellaneous receipts from personal purchases. Material

includes Visa receipts and store receipts. Car sale receipt to Mr. Lloyd Hunter (Ms. Hunter’s

husband) from 1976 is included.


9.7 Federal income tax



Scope and content: File consists of income tax receipts and forms from 1984, a Tax Guide

for Writers, and a Notice of Assessment for Ms. Hunter’s apartment 703 at 3333 Finch

Avenue East from 1987.


9.8 Contracts



Scope and content: File consists of various agreements to buy Ms. Hunter’s short stories, to

perform public readings, and a guide for creating invoices for storytelling services.


9.9 Grant applications



Scope and content: File consists of two grant information brochures titled “Aid to Artists”

from The Canada Council as well as the application form for grants.


Box 36

10.0 Research notes


Physical description: 13cm of textual records, 39 photographs, 2 negatives, 5 audio cassette

tapes, 1 metal tobacco container

Scope and content: Series consists of material related to research that Ms. Hunter collected for

her novels which are historical fiction. The series is divided into 10 files. Material includes old

catalogues, magazines, and newspaper clippings, a grammar book, and Ms. Hunter’s family tree.

Notes: Title based on contents of series. Box 1 – 3 large format text items are stored in Box 1.

10.1 Catalogues and magazines


Physical description: 1 file of textual material, 1 large format catalogue

Scope and content: File consists of three magazines and two catalogues (Sears and Eaton’s)

that were used for researching the eras in which Ms. Hunter’s books take place.

Notes: Title based on contents of file. Box 1 – Large format Eaton’s catalogue from 1927 is

stored in Box 1.

10.2 Grammar reference book


Physical description: 1 item of textual records

Scope and content: File consists of the second edition of The Elements of Style by William

Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White. The book is falling apart, is well annotated and contains many

Post-It notes marking pages of interest.

10.3 Booky and sequel notes


Physical description: 1 file textual records

Scope and content: File consists of newspaper clippings and handwritten notes that are

related to the Booky books and were collated by Ms. Hunter into a folder.

Notes: Title supplied by title written on original cover of contents of file.

10.4 Newspaper clippings



Scope and content: File consists of various newspaper clippings about historical ways of life.

This material was used as research for Ms. Hunter’s books.


10.5 The Firefighter



Scope and content: File consists of information from the Big Brothers of Metropolitan

Toronto and handwritten notes about the job of a firefighter. This information was used as

research for the novel The Firefighter.


10.6 Research material



Scope and content: File consists of newspaper articles and handwritten notes that were

collated by Ms. Hunter into an envelope. Information relates to historical times that was used

as research for her books.

Notes: Title taken from label on the original envelope containing the file.

10.7 Notes to be organized



Scope and content: File consists of newspaper articles and handwritten notes that were

collated by Ms. Hunter into an envelope. Information relates to historical times that was used

as research for her books.

Notes: Title taken from label on the original envelope containing the file.

10.8 Family tree

Dates of creation: [19―]

Physical description: 1 file textual records, 6 photographs

Scope and content: File consists of Thurman family tree information.


10.9 White box


Physical description: 1 file textual records, 32 photographs, 2 negatives

Scope and content: File consists of records that were placed in a white cardboard box.

Material includes family history, a letter from Ms. Hunter to her Aunt Alice and old

newspaper clippings.

Notes: Title based on original container of file.

10.10 Swansea history



Scope and content: File consists of information on the history of the village of Swansea in

Toronto. Material also includes a folder of information about the centennial celebration of

Swansea Public School.


10.11 Miscellaneous research


Physical description: 1 file textual records, 1 photograph, and 1 metal tobacco container

Scope and content: File consists of various articles, publications and handwritten notes that

were collected by Ms. Hunter. Information relates to historical times that was used as research

for her books.

Notes: Title based on contents of file. Three large-format textual items are stored in Box 1.

10.12 Audio cassette tapes


Physical description: 5 audio cassette tapes

Scope and content: File consists of 5 audiocassette tapes that contain interviews between Ms.

Hunter and others on 3 of the tapes. The tapes are titled: Annette & Bernice; Aunt Edith and

me; and Mary.Marg. The other 2 tapes seem to contain readings of 2 manuscripts entitled

“Twins” and “Me.”

Notes: Title based on contents of the file. Box 3 – The contents of this file are stored in Box 3.

Box 37

11.0 Miscellaneous personal material

Dates of creation: [19―] - 2002

Physical description: 13cm of textual material, 5 photographs, 3 audio cassette tapes, 2 souvenir

pins

Scope and content: Series consists of records that are personal in nature.


11.1 Calendars

Dates of creation: 1968, 1982 - 2002

Physical description: 1 files textual records

Scope and content: File consists of 10 calendars. Eight have handwriting on them.


11.2 Plastic cards

Dates of creation: [19―] - 2002


Scope and content: File consists of records that were kept in a business card box entitled

“Plastic cards - Mini book – ‘My Cards’”. The box was half filled with Ms. Hunter’s business

cards of which 1 was retained. Other material in the box included a mini note book containing

addresses and notes, laminated old Canadian currency, photographs, business cards, hospital

cards, and membership cards.

Notes: Title taken from label on original box containing the file.

11.3 Signed books



Scope and content: File consists of 5 books signed by the authors. The authors are Robertson

Davies, Jean Booker, Eric Wilson and Barbara Greenwood.


11.4 Newspaper clippings



Scope and content: File consists of newspaper clippings that were grouped together in an

envelope. Much of it is inspirational in nature.

Notes: Title taken from label on original envelope.

11.5 Inspirational

Dates of creation: [198-?] - 2002


Scope and content: File consists of records of a religious nature.


11.6 Family matters

Dates of creation: 1914 – 1918, 1948 - 1950, 1983 - 2000


Scope and content: File consists of records that relate to various family members. Items have

been sorted chronologically with undated items at the end.


11.7 Miscellaneous


Physical description: 1 file of textual records, 3 audio cassette tapes, 2 pins

Scope and content: File consists of records of various natures. Material includes 3

magazines, 6 postcards, music, a micro audio cassette tape and 2 souvenir pins.


12.0 The Descendants of Thomas and Ann Thurman of Tollerton, Nottinghamshire

(By Vaughan H. Thurman. Toronto: Portage, 2013.)

Dates of creation: published 2013

Physical description: 1 coil-bound book on the history of the Thurman family (299 pages).

Bernice Thurman Hunter Fonds - Home : Toronto Public Library · Bernice Thurman Hunter fonds. –...

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